Chelsea to keep looking for new boss as highly-rated target rules out switch

Mauricio Pochettino will turn down any approach from Chelsea and continue as Tottenham Hotspur manager, reports The Daily Star.

The Argentine is among the high-profile names who the Blues are interested in replacing Antonio Conte.

However, they will have to continue their search elsewhere if, as expected, the Italian departs Stamford Bridge following this weekend’s FA Cup final.

Despite winning the Premier League title last year, his failure to guide Chelsea into the Champions League will probably leave him looking for new work.

The Blues have already been linked with former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique and Napoli’s Maurizio Sarri.

Pochettino is due for talks with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to discuss his transfer budget for the summer, with some arguing that his call for the club to spend more was also an ultimatum about his future.

He has three years left on his contract in North London and it seems he wants to see it out, while the club has already stated that any approach for their manager will be rejected.

And The Star claims that Levy will back his manager with funds – for transfers, wages, and possibly also a pay rise – to ensure he stays at the club and that Spurs are able to challenge in all competitions.

The report maintains Pochettino is happy at the club and ready to help the side as they move to their new stadium next season.

He wants the club to “take risks and be brave” as they prepare for a third consecutive season in the Champions League.

Since joining the club in 2014, Pochettino has overseen steady improvement, culminating in finishing above Chelsea in the league this season and reaching the knockout stages of Europe’s premier competition.

It is therefore no surprise that he will be linked with other jobs, but Spurs fans will be delighted that – for the moment – he remains committed to the one he has.

John Pennington is a freelance writer and self-published author. An experienced online and print journalist and editor, John has written on football, cricket, hockey and rugby as well as politics. Born in Yeovil, he lives in West Sussex, England.

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